Garbage receptacle



Sept. 16, '1941. i J, HARV D 2,255,972

GARBAGE RECEPTACLE Filed March 8, 1959 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR Ja cjc H 011" val-d BY Q m ATTORN EY Sept. 16, 1941. J HARVARD 2,255,972

I GARBAGE RECEPTACLE Filed March 8, 1959 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR Jack Haruafd ATTORN EY Patented Sept. 16, 1941 one-half to Constance L; Irvine, Downey, Calif., and five per cent to John D. Fuller,

Santa Cruz, Calif.

Application March a, lssa'se'riaino. 250,529

1 Claim.

This invention relates to garbage or refuse receptacles of the portable type such as are universally used by householders for the reception of their garbage until the same is removed by the collector on his scheduled rounds.

Such receptacles, or cans as they are more commonly called, are usually kept outside and are made with removable lids; the cans being emptied by removing the lids and inverting the.

cans.

The cans are usually set out in the open where dogs can get at them, and as the lids very frequently do not fit properly, it is a common occurrence to find cans upset with their lids off, and the contents strewn about the premises. Also, it frequently occurs that some of the contents of a can stick to the bottom or are jammed in the can so that when inverting the can to empty it, the jammed content is not discharged.

Further, in some localities, the garbage collectors are very careless with respect to replacing the lids of the cans after emptying them, and the lids are frequently lost.

It is therefore the principal object of my invention to eliminate the above objectionable features due to present garbage can construction by the provision of a can so constructed that the lid is never removed, and the can is emptied from the bottom.

It is also an object to provide a can for the purpose constructed so that it is easier to handle than present cans, and which will withstand more rough usage.

These objects I accomplish by means of such structure and relative arrangement of parts as will fully appear by a perusal of the following specification and claim.

In the drawings similar characters of reference indicate corresponding parts in the several views:

Figure l is a side elevation of my improved garbage can.

Figure 2 is a top plan view of the same.

Figure 3 is an enlarged sectional elevation of the can.

Referring now more particularly to the characters of reference on the drawings, the can comprises an open ended body I. While here shown as being cylindrical, it is to be understood that any suitable cross sectional form may be used. The body adjacent the top and bottom is preferably reinforced by outwardly projecting annular flanges 2 and 3 respectively. These flanges not only stiffen the body and prevent deformation of the same with rough treatment,

but serve as stops and supports for the lid and bottom of the can now to be described.

"The lid 4 is preferably of convex form and is provided around its rim with a stiffening flange 5'res'ting on flange 2 when the lid is closed. The

' lid at its rim is of suflicient size to fit over the body, the latter projecting above flange 2 a certain distance with an inward flare as shown at 6; In this manner, the lid will always have a close fit on the body at the flange without any chan'cefor lateral deviation. The lid is permanently'connected to the body by a spring hinge unit"! of conventional type, the spring acting to close the lid.

In order to hold the lid positively closed against undesired opening, I provide a latch bar 8 which extends radially of and inside the lid opposite the hinge I. This projects through and is'slidably supported by the lid just above flange 5, for engagement with a slotted tongue 9 rigid With and projecting upwardly from flange 2. A light spring l0 acts on the bar to hold it in engaged. position. To retract the latch bar and also to lift the lid, I provide a handle ll of suitable form which is turnably mounted on the lid for rotation about a vertical axis. A disc or similar member I2 is rigid with the handle inside the lid, and the adjacent end of the latch bar is pivoted on said member in offset relation to the axis thereof.

The lid may be provided with a row of ventilating holes l3 thereabout and which are covered on the inside with screen M.

The can body at its lower end is closed by a bottom I5 formed with a short upstanding side wall l6 which extends about the lower inwardly flared end portion ll of the body, and with a depending skirt I 8 which rests on the ground. A flange l9 rigid with the bottom projects outwardly from the sidewall I 6 at the level of the top thereof and engages the body flange 3 in supporting relation when the bottom is closed. The bottom member is permanently mounted on the body by means of a spring hinge unit 20 preferably disposed on the same side of the can as the hinge 1. The spring of unit 20 is sufficiently strong to pull the bottom up from an open to a closed position.

To positively hold the bottom closed against undesired opening by the weight of the contents of the can pressing down on the bottom when the can is lifted from the ground, I provide a radial latch bar 2| opposite the hinge 20 which is slidably mounted in connection with and under the bottom. This bar projects through the skirt for engagement with a rigid slotted tongue 22 depending from the body. flange 3.

A light spring 23 acts on the latch bar to hold dle between the same and the adjacent wall of v the body I and adapted to be pressed towardthe same.

This thumb lever is positioned so as to be convenient for operation "bythe thumb of An arm 26 projects radially from theaxis of the'lever and is mounted as a unittherewith,

and a pull cable 21 extends downwardly from said arm between the pin of hinge and the body, and then about a suitable guide 28 and underthe bottom-l5 to an adjustable connection with the latch bar 2| at its inner end. The cable from the handle to the hinge is enclosed ina' housing 29, while a hood 30 preferably extends lengthwise of and protects the upper portion of the hinge 20.

In oper ation, when it is desired to empty the can, the same may be lifted by handles until it overhangs the wagon or receiving receptacle on the ground, and while the can is held suspended, the lever may be pressed toward the can to release the bottom latch bar. The bottom will then drop open by reason of the weight of the contents of the can thereon, and such contents'will be at once and completely discharged. Or the can may be lifted to the place of .discharge and allowed to temporarily rest on' any adjacent support, while the thumb lever is manipulated and held in a release position. Then upon again lifting the can, the bottom will of course drop open.

In any event, I contemplate mounting an operating instruction card in a readily visible place 011 each can.

. The side handle arrangement above described is of course for large outdoor cans; the smaller ones, such as are placed under the kitchen sink,

being instead provided with a bail, as usual.

From the foregoing description it will be readily seen that I have produced such a device as substantially fulfills the objects of the invention as" set forth herein.

While this specification sets forth in detail the present and preferred construction of the device, still in practice such deviations from such detail may be resorted to as do not form a departurefrom the spirit of the invention, as defined by the appended claim.

fHaving. thus described my invention, what I claim as new and useful and desire to secure byLetters Patent is:

In a garbage receptacle including a cylindrical bodyinitially open at its lower end, a circular bottom hinged on the body for downward opening'movement, a releasable latch between the bottom and body, an annular flange about the body adjacent but above its lower end, the portion of the body below said flange flaring inwardly, a circular side wall upstanding from the bottom, and a separate annular flange on the side wall matching and engaging the body flange when the bottom is closed; said inwardly flaring portion. of the body then closely fitting within said side wall. 7

' JACK HARVARD. 

